Wednesday, March 28, 2018

U:RE Cosmetic Eggplant Master All-in-One Toner

I was able to try out U:RE Cosmetic Eggplant MasterAll-in-One Toner, and as my first experience with U:RE Cosmetic, I was quite pleased with how the toner worked out. I am constantly battling the over production of oils on my face (sebum), so toning is very important in my routine, whether it’s in the morning before makeup application or at night after using a cleanser.
This toner contains effective ingredients such as eggplant, zeolite and tea tree, alongside nourishing glycerin and hyaluronate that help bind moisture to skin. Little did I know before trying this toner and researching its ingredients the power of eggplant. Eggplant not only offers rich nutrients when consumed, but also works marvelously on your skin by offering anti-aging agents such as anthocyanins and replenishes dry skin. Tea tree is a natural exfoliant with its strong antiseptic properties that help to remove dirt and debris while combating acne. Zeolite is a mineral that masters detoxifying your skin by absorbing and removing pollutants. Other ingredients include beta-glucan with anti-aging properties and allantoin that helps cell regeneration and soothing of the skin.
The solution is light, watery and has what appears to be zeolite sediment on the bottom, so it needs to be shaken before use. I always use cotton rounds for application, pour a decent amount, and wipe over face to remove any excess oils. The product mainly smells of tea tree, but only from the bottle or on the cotton round while in use, but it leaves no traces of scent on your face. Even after a day with no makeup and using the toner, you can see the grime on the white cotton round and know that it’s having an effect. Application brings a cooling sensation, but quickly dries and leaves my skin feeling clean and smooth.
 

Overall, the toner works wonders for those who are oily beyond control and suffer with major acne issues. Even into my thirties, I still struggle with over production of sebum, but I found that this toner is mattifying, effective and soothing for my skin. That said, I would not recommend it to those who suffer with dry skin, since a good balance of oils is what keeps our skin young and healthy.




Thank you 0.8Liter
This post was sponsored by 0.8Liter. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.


#08L #08Liter #review #sponsored #cosmetics #beauty #koreanbeauty #kbeauty #abcommunity #ureskin #sensitiveskin #koreanskincare #toner #pure #skintoner #ure #urecosmetics #eggplant #zeolite #teatree #calm #acne #benefits #antiaging #clean #cleanskin #urecosmetics #urecosmetic #allinone #eggplantmaster #glassskin #oilyskin #hydrating #antioxidant #tzone

Monday, March 26, 2018

Lorac Pirates of the Caribbean PRO Eye Shadow Palette

Lorac's Pirates of the Caribbean palette is definitely eye catching, with innovative packaging design from the hit movie Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. This palette will be my first experience with their brand, alongside their Natural Performance Foundation. 
Once I had it in my hands, the palette's weight and design make it feel extraordinary. The palette may seem bulky to others, but I don't mind since it pleases my inner graphic designer. It comes with 18 total shades including a variety of warm, beachy colors and oceanic blues and greens. It even comes with a sample of their Front Of The Line Pro eyeliner in black, which fits conveniently in the cut-out space provided.


The variety of colors seems fitting to a pirate theme and allows ample creativity. The shadows are creamy and easily blendable, however I feel some shadows outshine the others as far as saturation goes. The shadows are easy to pick up and blend with little to no fall out, however some colors you do need to build up and use a lot of product to receive the color payoff. Initially I didn’t think this could be an everyday palette, but with some of the hues being not as potent (Lost At Sea, Pirates Chest, Bones), it’s easy to use those for subtle everyday looks. My top favorites are Black Pearl, Cursed, Treasure, and Sea Haze, these really pack a punch with great pigmentation and unique hues.

On the lighter side of the spectrum, these shades offer a variety of warm tones and shimmery brilliance with such colors as Yo Ho, Compass and Shiver Me. I am already white as a ghost, so finding a white shade that is visible to highlight my inner eye can be difficult. With the shades Ghostly and Matte-y, both are able to make a difference on my skin tone.
There is a secret compartment (How fun is that?), but to my dismay the extra cheek palette was not given with this purchase and must have been sold as a set or promotion at some point. However, the slot is there and looks to fit the cheek palette that you can purchase separately. Overall, this is a wonderful, exciting palette that allows you to explore different looks.


I'll get a little bit into the eyeliner as well since it was bonus with this palette. The first day I just happened to swatch it on my hand. It was highly pigmented and glided easily and I felt I had a lot of control of how little or how much I wanted to apply. The formula is creamy and gives you the opportunity to blend before it settles. I completely forgot that it was on my hand and had spent the day like usual, using and washing my hands countless times and it never budged, smudged or faded in any way. This proves to me that this liner lives up to its pro name. 


I first stumbled upon this palette while shopping on Hautelook and noticed it was more than half off, so I had to pick it up. Hautelook offers top brands in both women's and men's fashion from clothes, jewelry, toys for your children, to home goods at discounts from 50 to 75% off. Every day starting at 8 a.m. Pacific they curate new events that are only available for a limited time. This gives an opportunity for everyone to afford high-end items. If you're interested, check them out here.

Have a beautiful day,
Alyee






This post is not sponsored by Lorac nor Hautelook. Just wanted to share my experience.

#makeup #beauty #motd #pretty #eyes #shadowpalette #palette #lorac #piratesofthecaribbean #bones #cursed #yoho #ghostly #lux #pirates #loracpiratesofthecaribbean #eyeshadow #loraclosangeles #cosmetics #hautelook #lux #curate

Friday, March 23, 2018

BarkBox March Academy of Fine Arfs

Guess what's here? March's BarkBox! Usually my box arrives in the middle to later part of the month, but nonetheless I am always excited when it arrives. Unfortunately, this month's order got a little messed up, since not all of the items were inside the box. What's great is that once I contacted customer support, they immediately took care of the situation and sent me not only the two bags of treats I was supposed to get, but a third one as well! Since I have started BarkBox, all the communication I've had with their staff has been beyond helpful and friendly. After contacting them, the treats arrived only one week later. To my surprise today, I received yet another box of treats with an email apologizing for the mishap, bringing us to a total of 5 bags of treats. Expect Rylee and Miah to gain a few pounds and have happy tummies (LOL)!

I am beyond excited for this months theme, which is Fine Arts, or as they say "Fine Arfs." This is definitely one of my favorite themes yet, since I attended an Art College and having art be a huge part of my life growing up. I absolutely appreciate the detailed, innovative toy and treat designs. Just as usual, I unpacked the box on the floor with my dogs to let them get fully immersed in the experience. Rylee immediately took to the Bob Toss toy and ran away with it. Respectively, Miah our Beligan Shepherd took Vincent Van Squirrel and started throwing it around.



BarkBox is more than just a couple of dog toys and treats put into a box: these are curated with every intention to surprise, amuse and please you and your dogs. Every box contains at least 2 toys, 2 treat bags and a chew. Inside are:

Food:
Starry Bites- Chicken Dog Treats (x2)
Masterpiece Morsels- Lamb & Fruit Dog Treats
Painters Pallet- Pork, Blueberries & Carrot Dog Treats
The Great Wave- Fish Recipe with Cheese & Turmeric
Happy Howie's Beef 11" Woof Stix

Toys:
Vincent Van Squirrel
Bob Toss Squirrel

I will note that my boyfriend said that they missed the opportunity to make Vincent a gopher, making him "Vincent Van Gopher." Either way, it's still cute! 


My dogs both went crazy for everything inside! I let them have at the toys and watched them both take one from the other and try intensely to take out the squeakers. Also included with the toys is an automated text to communicate with the artist squirrels, making for a fun little interactive experience. To try it out, text BOB or VINCENT to 79987.



I love reading the dog treat bags while my dogs enjoy the contents inside! What I like most is that the treats are made in the USA and grain free, which is perfect for Miah's allergies. Overall, they both went crazy over their new toys and treats. I had chosen the chewer box for more durable toys, and always have to monitor when they do chew, since they love to rip them open within a matter of minutes. However, it's taken several sessions for them to destroy the toys I get from BarkBox. Down the road I may invest in the Heavy Chewer package, but for right now this is working out great. Plus, I can always contact BarkBox about an item that didn't work out and they will replace it, free of charge! I can't wait to see what's in store for next month!
 




I cannot rave enough about BarkBox since 10% of all profits go to animal shelters, and you can find and reorder anything from toys to treats on their website. Interested? Sign up now and get the first month FREE on any multi-month plan! Click here to get started! 



Check out more photos here
BarkBox March 2018 Academy of Fine Arfs


This post is not sponsored by BarkBox. Just wanted to share my experience.

#BarkBox #BarkBoxDay #finearfs #academyoffinearfs #dog #natural #dogtreats #grainfree #dogtoys #barkboxday #bark #barkboxtoys #cute #art #squirrel #vincentvangogh #bobross #painting #paint #pallet #materpiece #jackpom #mutt #pupper #dogfoodie #plushtoy #squeakytoy #wheatfree #grainfree #madeinusa @barkbox 


Wednesday, March 21, 2018

That's Tasty Organic Microgreens


That’s Tasty Organic Microgreens are the perfect garnish for a variety of dishes. That’s Tasty offer a variety of flavors such as Italian Inspired, All‐American, Mexican Fiesta, Asian Zing, and Veggie Blend. Each blend is made up of little leafy greens that pack an excellent taste, texture and visual appeal into your meals. I picked up the Veggie Blend and Mexican Fiesta blend to complement our planned meals for the week.

We first tried the Mexican Fiesta blend with tacos and they were very delicious and unlike what we traditionally do. The fiesta blend consisted of purple kohlrabi, radish, and cilantro, all organically grown and harvested here in America. In my household we rarely eat beef, so we substitute with ground chicken that we locally purchase and season it. Typically, we top our tacos with lettuce, tomato, cheese and taco sauce, but decided to try the microgreens instead of lettuce. The powerful taste of the cilantro made that a much healthier option by allowing us to skip the taco sauce. I personally loved the texture, and overall it was my favorite of the two blends. I could see adding these as toppings to any Mexican dish from burritos to fajitas, or even lightly garnishing enchiladas.


Next, we tried was the Veggie Blend, which consisted of pea shoots, broccoli, amaranth and kale for a classic taste that could go with any meal. The texture, taste and smell were that of earthy greens that my boyfriend said reminded him of grass. However, I loved the bold taste and felt it gave our veggie burgers that extra flavor they've been missing. I found other uses with this blend by making a salad, garnishing soup, adding to chicken or to wrap sandwiches.


Overall, I did find that these were somewhat expensive, and only being a household of two, we would need to plan our meals carefully in order not to waste them. Just like with any fresh green, these have a short shelf life and expire fairly quickly. For example, if you are planning to use these just for one meal it would be a waste, as even with our taco dinner consisting of 4-5 tacos we only used about 25% of the product. However, with meal preparation for the week, we were easily able to get creative and put each blend to good use, not only boosting the taste of our meals but finding ways to eat healthier.



Thank you Social Nature


This post was sponsored by Social Nature. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review

#SocialNature #TryNatural #natural #organic #nature #local #locallygrown #veggies #microgreens #greens #MadeinUSA #locallymade #allnatural #coupon #gotitfree #mexicanfiesta #foodie #food #healthy 

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Daily Goodie Box March 2018






 Daily Goodie Box. It's more than just Free Samples!

Salutations Cuppies,
So thankful to have the another opportunity to explore this March's Daily Goodie Box. I couldn’t believe how stuffed it was, and they did an excellent job at delicately packing all the items. I instantly dove right in to try all of this month’s goodies. Most of the items promote wellness and health and are made from natural ingredients. I was able to explore new products and even get creative with the organic coconut oil.

Goodies:
Prince & Spring - Organic Coconut Oil
Andalou Naturals - Renewal Face Cream
Hydralyte - Effervescent Electrolyte Tablets
Herb Guru - Herbal Tea Fruity Recovery
Viter Energy Mints
Kay’s Naturals - Sweet BBQ Snack Mix
Sun & Earth - Stain Remover Pen
Prince of Peace - Ginger Chews with Mandarin Orange



Prince & Spring - Organic Coconut Oil

Prince & Spring Organic Coconut Oil travel packs are conveniently sized for taking on-the-go, around different areas of the house, and for single use. Since this coconut oil is cold pressed and unrefined, it can be used in all sorts of ways, such as cooking oil, coffee creamer, lip balm, makeup remover, conditioner, shaving cream, body moisturizer and many more. Never having used coconut before, I decided to give several of these ideas a go. The most appealing to me were using it as lip balm, conditioner, and makeup remover. To make it easier, I squeezed one of the packets into a little plastic container to easily keep in my purse for on-the-go lip balm. The texture is amazingly smooth, smells great and makes my lips very soft.

Next, I tried it as a conditioner treatment, where I left it on for about 5 minutes, then shampooed and rinsed it out. My hair felt amazing, since it almost immediately felt nourishing and hydrating, a difficult feat since my hair has been dried out and damaged from harsh dry winter weather lately. As for removing makeup, I gently scrubbed the oil on my face and it immediately started to remove even the most stubborn eyeliner without much pressure. Afterward I wiped and rinsed with cool water, leaving my face bare and smooth. Now to step out of my comfort zone, I tried the coconut oil as a coffee creamer and it was a sweet addition and a healthier alternative to my usual creamer. Overall, it's worked out great, and I will probably explore many more ways to use this oil. Since there were 16 packets in the box, I have a lot of exploration left to do!




Andalou Naturals - Renewal Face Cream


Andalou Naturals Renewal Probiotic + C Renewal Cream is a face cream that delivers rich ingredients such as Vitamin C, fruit stem cell complex and skin-friendly probiotic microflora that support dermal vitality by targeting surface cells. This process allows for the skin to become lighter, brighter and tighter for an overall luminous complexion. The pods that I received are small, single-use containers that give you more than enough to cover your face and neck. I find myself using one completely over the course of two days. I love the portability of these, so whether you are traveling or just on a day trip, you could easily keep one in your purse. These are also perfect if you’d like to sample their product without having to purchase the entire jar (which is also available) to see how the product reacts with your skin. However, for environmental purposes I would purchase the larger container in order to reduce waste instead of purchasing single pods.

As a recommendation for those with sensitive skin, you could always try on your back of hand or a small area. Personally, I never experienced anything but positive effects. The formula is light, creamy and feels cool once applied. I absolutely love the subtle orange fragrance, which is not overbearing and it quickly absorbs into skin without any sticky residue left behind. Usually it takes time and continual use of the product, but the immediate results where smooth, moisturized skin that felt healthier in the morning after applying at night. I also used the face cream before makeup application and it never felt greasy, oily or slick on my face. The whole experience has been divine and I love that it’s natural, non-GMO, and cruelty free.




Hydralyte - Effervescent Electrolyte Tablets

Hydralyte Effervescent Electrolyte Tablets are one of those unique products I've come across that I would have never known existed. They are tablets that dissolve in water to rapidly replenish lost electrolytes, and are clinically formulated to hydrate your body. These are great if you have been very sick and may have been vomiting or had diarrhea, where you lose a significant amount of water. The tablets are also great if you have a very active lifestyle, such as athletes or people with health issues that require immediate hydration and electrolyte replenishment. However, if you find yourself not consuming enough water, or like me, forget to meet your recommended daily amount of water, these tablets help to restore and recover.


I keep some of these in my gym bag and in my kitchen for easy access anytime. I usually just drop the two recommended tablets in water and go. The tablets dissolve quickly and change the water to a more orange hue. It smells like orange soda, but the taste is just a subtle tang, which isn't great but I didn't hate it either. I think I would prefer the berry flavor to orange if I had the choice. Overall, it's a great source of hydration that is easily portable, so whether it’s after a vigorous exercise or long day under the sun, these are a perfect solution.




Herb Guru teas are derived from ancient herbal formulas that have been combined with today’s greens, fruits and herbs to make healthy, satisfying teas. The Fruity Recovery tea is made with all sorts of natural ingredients like blueberries, ginseng, cinnamon, apple, chrysanthemum and goji berries. If you have any allergies to nuts, this tea contains tree nuts (i.e. coconuts).

I chilled my tea in the fridge before trying it, which is my preference, but I can see this particular tea being served hot and tasting just as great. Upon cracking open the can, I could immediately smell the intense cinnamon and licorice root flavors. The tea tastes like mild apple cider with lots of cinnamon and a definite hint of the licorice. I certainly sent my tastes buds on a trip, and at first, I was a little apprehensive about it. After I slowly sipped the tea, I started to enjoy each unique flavor. Each sip tasted refreshing with a little bit of zing. I love the simple short list of ingredients that offer a healthy dose of energy. I drank this between meals and it gave me the boost I needed to help refresh and energize me to get tasks done.


Main Ingredient Benefits:

Cinnamon- antioxidant, slows aging process, anti-inflammatory
Jujube- anti-inflammatory, increases bone density and strength, increases blood circulation
American Ginseng- reduces fatigue, lowers blood sugar, increases energy
Chrysanthemum- rich in Vitamin C, congestion relief, detoxes
Goji Berry- contains 8 essential amino acids, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory

I would recommend this to tea lovers that enjoy a rich, natural tea that provides an abundance of positive energy and health benefits. I would love to try the other flavors this brand offers such as the Vitality.



Viter Energy Mints combine caffeine and breath freshener that allows for a quick boost of energy, while effectively freshening your breath on the go. Each mint is the equivalent of about a half-cup of coffee, allowing you to customize the amount you need. I was super excited for these, because the uniqueness of caffeine in a mint makes it great for those busy mornings or if you need a boost right before a workout. 


I decided to give them a try on my way to the gym and offered a couple to my boyfriend. At first the Wintergreen flavor was intense and tasty, but as it started to dissolve other flavors started to emerge that weren’t pleasant. In fact, they were pungent and sour, with acidic taste that left a horrible aftertaste. I also notice the gritty texture as it started to dissolve, but that didn’t bother me. In fact, my boyfriend couldn’t finish his all the way and had to dispose of it. I really wanted to like these since I did start to feel energized and I love the idea behind them. Overall, if they improved the taste and removed the artificial sweetener (which you could taste) I would give these a try again.





Kay’s Naturals Sweet BBQ Snack Mix is a savory delight of crunchy puffs and pretzels with rich, sweet barbeque flavor. It’s the perfect crunchy snack between meals because of its abundant 12 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, all at only 125 calories per bag. Compared to other snacks, these are less in calories and fat making it a healthier snacking option. I shared the bag with my boyfriend (because I'm nice like that) and he thought it was very tasty! Overall, I loved the taste and texture, and could easily replace my greasy chips or other snacking options because this BBQ mix doesn't sacrifice flavor!


Sun & Earth - Stain Remover Pen

Sun & Earth Stain Remover Pen is exactly what it sounds like, but makes it safe for your entire for your family by fighting stains with only natural ingredients. The pen is formulated with natural enzymes that loosen dirt and stains on contact, without the use of harsh chemicals such as UV brighteners, synthetics or phosphates. Some of the other great benefits offered by this pen are that it's organic, non-toxic, biodegradable, has no allergens or dyes and is hypoallergenic.

I absolutely love using natural cleaning products in my household. Sometimes we have this misconception that natural products won’t be as effective, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. To truly test the effectiveness, I spilled a bit of chili on an old white shirt, and wow, I am very impressed how it quickly it worked to remove the stain. 


The process is simple just like any other stain remover pen: wipe any excess liquid or residue, then rinse the area of the shirt under the sink. Next, shake the pen well, remove the cap and press the tip on to stain area and allow the solution to release. Now, rub the tip along the stain and wipe away excess stain remover as you go. So, as I was removing this pesky stain, I dabbed it with a bit of Kleenex, but you can use an old cloth, paper towel, napkin or whatever to help lift and remove the stain along with the solution. Within minutes I noticed it whitening and lifting the stain to the point I didn’t see it anymore. This natural pen worked wonders!


Prince of Peace - Ginger Chews Mandarin Orange

Prince of Peace Ginger Chews with mandarin orange are convenient, tasty individually wrapped chews that help to alleviate stomach indigestion, act as an anti-inflammatory, and can warm the body during cold winter weather. These are sort of like cough drops but are very chewy like caramels. Having previously tried their ginger tea, I knew I was going to like these. There is a zing to the chew that gives it a spicy kick that really could clear out the sinuses and help alleviate a cold. I love the added sweetness from the mandarin oranges, making this a delectable treat as well. I like the texture, but find it a bit too sticky and chewy for my personal preference. If it were up to me, I could see these making an excellent hard candy to suck on. These chews are also only 15 calories and are 100% natural! Overall, I would not use them regularly, but I'll definitely be reaching for them during the winter flu & cold season, or any other time I'm feeling ill.





As always you can find individual links to the products by clicking the titles! 

I owe a big thank you to Daily Goodie Box for giving me an opportunity to indulge in some great new products!


This post was sponsored by Daily Goodie Box. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.



#DailyGoodieBox #productreview #reviewblogger #Princeofpeace #ginger #gingerchews #Kaysnaturals #natural #Organic #SkinCare #Herbal #Facecream #andalounaturals #bbq #snackmix #snack #goviter #viter #energy #mints #princeandspring #organiccoconutoil #coconutoil #herbguru #herabltea #tea #recovery #fruity #hydralyte #tablets #dehydrate #sunandearth #stainremover #stainremoverpen #sunearth #princespring